OUT AND ABOUT

As we are all going mad at home during COVID we thought we would get out and about locally and practice our bird and wildlife photography.  We are lucky to be able to do this as I know many people are in lock down and unable to get out yet.

We have spent many days going to a few places, repeating in the hope of seeing specific birds or getting better light.

The places we have visited recently and found the most worthwhile for day trips from Adelaide are as follows.

Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park, (133 species) 46km from Adelaide. Superb Fairy Wrens, New Holland Honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebill.  Lovely walks and plenty of life around.  Not many people either.

Bald Hill Beach, (86 species), 105km from Adelaide. An important migratory bird habitat.  Go just before high tide to get nearer to the birds on the shoreline.  Some of the small plovers are really hard to see against the sand.  Even the Sooty Oyster Catcher blends in if his or her beak is not in the sun.

Browns Road. Monarto (101 species) 58km from Adelaide. Incredible variety including the Australian Owlet Nightjar (so small and hard to find). So much to see in a small area, wander around the woods for different flora and fauna.  One of our favourite places.

Byards Road Wetlands (93 species) 22km from Adelaide.  There are walks around the different ponds which are pleasant.  We have found this a little erratic though, most probably dependant on the amount of water.  Loved the young Long Billed Corrella screaming at mum.

Coorong National Park (112 species) 88km from Adelaide – a large area to cover and incredibly scenic.  Worth the drive around just for a relaxing day out.  Would also be great to camp when weather permits.  Near one of the fishing shacks plenty of Pelicans await an easy feed.

Cox Scrub (141 species) 65km from Adelaide.  A great place when the puddles are full, large variety of birds.  Walks are great too.  Below is one of the puddles, you just sit quietly and wait for the birds to come for a drink like this Elegant Parrot.

Greenfields Wetlands (156 species) 15km from Adelaide.  Another hit and miss place but a good variety when the water levels are right.  If there is too much water the waders go elsewhere so lower water levels are best here.  Love the leg colour on this Dusky Moorhen.

Laratinga Wetlands (159 species), 34km from Adelaide – Amazing walk around large lakes, plenty of variety including hard to catch Crested Shrike Tit and Latham’s Snipe. This is another of our favourite places.  Peaceful scenic walks and plenty of birds.

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens (75 species) 18km from Adelaide. Great walks and lots of birds, try to be early and not weekends or school holidays.  Good variety of birds, amazing scenery, a very English Garden, set with special species area which are amazing when in bloom.

Nangawooka Floral Reserve (79 species) 75km from Adelaide (has a bird hide overlooking water feature, great for photos. This is a small garden but incredibly diverse in its bird life,

Oaklands Park Wetlands (60 species) 12km from Adelaide.  Good variety depending on water levels what is around.  Southern Boobook nests here.  Being so close to us we have been here many times.  Again best with lower water levels for the waders.

Seacliff Beach – Hooded Plovers in breeding season, Unfortunately a really hard place to protect them from humans and dogs.  This pair did not survive.  This is our local beach – there are others along the coast that also house breeding Hooded Plovers.

Spring Mount Conservation Park (90 species) 71km from Adelaide.  A surprising find, we walked in the woods and heard so much but saw  little.  Then while driving along the road we saw so much, Luckily it was a quiet road (dirt) so we kept stopping for photos.

Tolderol Game Reserve (16 4 species) 85km from Adelaide, 4×4 needed to access and drive around this area.  Many different ponds with different species all over.  Expect the unexpected, you never know what is round the next corner (or pond).

Whites Road Wetlands (137 species) 20km from Adelaide.  Migratory Water Birds, nice short walks.  This large Shellduck was the other side of the road and a long way in the distance.

These are just a few worthwhile sites, if you would like to know about more sites in South Australia please follow the link to the Birding Sa site  https://birdssa.asn.au/location/

We have come to the conclusion though that our photography may not continue to improve much as we do not have the patience that you need to be really good.  Still we enjoy it and are happy with many results.